Hotels, for example. No matter how many times I place the green card on my bed indicating that I do not need to have my towels changed every day, and even though I hang up my towels to make sure that they are not the floor, I still get fresh, clean towels every day. I eat meals that are served in generous portions and end up not finishing them. There is no use taking a doggie bag, because I may not be able to finish the food when I am back at the hotel; I may have other plans or may be leaving the next day. I use soap, paper cups, Kleenex and so on, but leave the unused portions to be thrown away.
I take free souvenirs or buy souvenirs that are of no particular use. I don’t need them, but I take these little presents just the same. Because these little gifts please me and I take them, conference exhibitors continue to give them out for free. I take promotional printed items. I hardly read them, or just browse through them before tossing them in the garbage. I may bring home only about one-fifth of the materials I receive. Worse still, I hardly use even that small fraction. I am as hypocritical as those crusaders to the Antarctic, whom I have criticized.
I often wonder about those environmentalists who claim they love Mother Nature, but go on exploring the Antarctic—or Arctic—to document the destruction that humankind has done to our pristine land. Many of those who have visited those remote places are not scientists, but advocates who want to see firsthand the damage that has been done. Why do they feel the need to be there, to be seen in pictures of themselves in the Antarctic, before they can promote its protection?
As I reflect on my lifestyle, particularly when I travel, I realize that I am no better than those about whom I grumble.
For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.
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